E-mail, Feeds, 'n' Stuff

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Nothing burns money like Fire

Times are tough, folks. State and local government has run out of money, and here in Portland, your essential services are being cut back. Police precincts closing, potholes growing, and no P.E. for little Johnny at school. Water and sewer bills are going through the roof, too. People's morale is down.

Portland Fire & Rescue’s headquarters building, located at 55 SW Ash St, was recently remodeled and seismically upgraded. PF&R is fortunate to own many vintage artifacts, photos and ephemera that represent its proud history and traditions. PF&R would like to use some of these items to create an inviting environment in the building’s first and third floor public lobbies.

What's that? Well, yes, I know we already have a firefighter museum over on Belmont. And a firefighter memorial over by PGE Park. And we're building another memorial by the Hawthorne Bridge. But hey, you can't get too much of a good thing.

Of course, this is important enough to call for some professional talent, so the first thing we do, let's get right out there and hire a consultant. And heck, this such a great idea, let's not put a dollar amount on the contract -- we'll leave it open-ended.

2. Review historical photographs, ephemera and artifacts located at the PF&R’ Historic Belmont Firehouse, PF&R’s Logistics warehouse, Portland Archives and/or other Portland area locations and evaluate their possible use as exhibit materials.

3. Work with a group of PF&R staff and community partners to develop a theme for the interpretative exhibits.

"Community partners" -- that's always good. Plus, the Fireman-in-Chief will show you his neon rose sign.

4. Work with PF&R staff and community partners to refine the final design.

5. Design museum quality interpretive wall, shelf, and freestanding exhibits, and signage, graphics and lighting for the 1st and 3rd floor lobbies at 55 SW Ash St. PF&R artifacts, photos, ephemera and other materials and objects may be used as appropriate in the final design.

Jack, you don't understand that it's all about the different pots of money.

You see, that pot over there, the one brimming to the rim with rubies and gold dubloons ? The one with the hoses running into it marked "urban renewal" and "sewer money"? Well, that's the "Pot for Bulls**t Vanity Projects".

And this pot over here, which seems to hold a few old nickles and a couple of buttons? That's the "Pot of Essential Services."

Now unfortunately, they just can't mix the pots. There's some law somewhere about that. And the City of Portland would never ever stoop to creative accounting, so there is just no way around it.

Boy the city can't get even this boondoggle right. A fireman's museum should come with Pizza service and salad bar just like Engine House Pizza.

As for commissioner Leonard, this is the same guy who thinks it o.k. to sign a longterm contract for biodiesel for $7 plus per gallon versus regular diesel at about $2 per gallon. The same guy who doesn't see any problem with water and sewer rate increases of over 6% per year for the last decade or more. Nope he wanted to raise them even higher to buy some vacant property we just can't do without. The idea of a low cost emergency option on some similar piece of property just isn't gold plated enough for him.

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 155
At this date last year: 241
Total run in 2015: 271
In 2014: 401
In 2013: 257
In 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269